Master bomb rainer



April 10, 1956 5. J. PROCOS MASTER BOMB RAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 8, 1952 III INVENTOR, 1 Steve J. Procos,

April 10, 1956 5. J. PRocos 2,741,159

MASTER BOMB RAINER Filed July 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 llll lllll l-l kL {I I u u INVENTOR,

.Si'eve d. Procos,

HTTORN 5Y6 S. J. PROCOS MASTER BOMB RAINER April 10, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed July 8, 1952 April 10, 1956 s. J. PRocos 2,741,159

MASTER BOMB RAINER Filed July 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR, Steved1 ProcoS.

HTTORNE Y5 April 10, 1956 s. J. PROCOS 2,741,159

MASTER BOMB RAINER Filed July 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 U 0 0 M E Q 4955d INVENTOK, Steve J1 Procos,

m w g MASTER BOMB RAINER Steve J. Procos, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 8, 1952, Serial No. 297,731

1 Claim. (Cl. 89-15) This invention relates to a bomb dropping devicefor airplanes.

One important object of the invention is to provide novel means wherebya multiplicity of bombs may be carried by an airplane and dischargedtherefrom in groups, each group consisting of a plurality of bombs.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a device ofthis character wherein the bombs are loaded on the airplane in a seriesof rows extending longitudinally oi the plane and each row consisting ofbombs.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter wherein the rows are driven by endless chains and bombs aredischarged from the rows simultaneously on reaching one extremity of theendiess chain device.

. A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a device ofthis character having the multiplicity of bomb pockets carried byendless chains, each of said pockets holding an individual bomb anddischarging these bombs as-the endless chain turns to move from itsforward direction to its rearward direction.

A fifth important object of the invention is to provide such bombcarrying pockets with open ends so that tilting of the pockets etfectsthe discharge of the bombs.

A sixth important object of the invention is to provide a novel form ofpocket consisting of two halves movable toward and from each other so asto hold a bomb when the halves are moved toward each other and torelease the bomb when the halves are moved away from each other.

A seventh important object of the invention is to provide a novel chutearrangement for properly distributing the bombs as they pass out of thebomb holding pockets.

An eighth important object of the invention is to provide controllingmeans for regulating the passage of the bombs from the chutes,controlling means being arranged to effect proper distribution inaccordance with the height of the airplane above the ground.

The invention consists in general of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate likeparts, and:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of the bomb carrying apparatus, theairplane being shown in broken outline to indicate the position of thisapparatus in the plane, the bombs being removed therefrom.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan at the delivery end of a bombcarrying device.

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2, the view being taken from the righthand end thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed side view of that part of the device asshown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a view showing a further enlargement of the parts shown inFig. 4 and showing the movement of bombs from the carrier to the chutes.

2,741,159 Patented Apr. 10,. 1956 Fig. 6- is a fragmentarydetail-showing the manner of supporting. the: bomb chute.

Fig. 1 is a greatly enlarged plan view of one. form of a.- bomb carryingpocket.

Fig. 8 is asimilar view to Fig; 7 but showing a slightly modified formon the line 9--9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view' of a portion of the bomb carrier having.split bomb pockets.

Fig. 10. is aside view showing a plurality of thepockets shown in Fig.9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 1313:of:Fig. l0.1

Fig. 13 is a detailed. view. showing a form of chute control.

Fig. 14 is a slightly enlarged sectionv of suchchute' control.

Fig. 15 is an end view of twov bomb delivery sections as installed inanairplane, the spreading of the bombs being, illustratedv below one ofthese sections.

In the embodiments of the invention as here shown, it is preferred thattwo general arrangements of bomb carrying dispensing means shall be usedin the fuselage 10 oi an airplane, one being on each side of the axis ofthe plane. Each of. these devices, as best shown in Figs. 1 to 8, l0 and14,. consists of a pair of laterally spaced side frames indicated ingeneral at 11. Each of these frames includes an upper rail 12, and alower rail. 13, the upper and lower rai-l being connected by arcuatemembers 14. In the space adjacent each end. of the frame is mounted asprocket wheel 15. carried by a shaft 16 suitably supported from theframe by any suitable means. The sprocket wheel for each frame iscoplanar with the frame and around the sprocketsv of each frame: istrained an. end less chain 17. The chain of one frame is connected tothe chain of the other frame by means of tie bars 18, on which aremounted bomb holding pockets 19, which may have one end fully open as inFig. 7 or may have a slight rib or flange 20 extending between the sidesof the pockets as at Fig. 8. These pockets are in laterally spacedrelation and are there fixedly secured to the tie bars, the arrangementbeing such that the pockets of one tie bar are arranged in alignmentwith the pockets of adjacent tie bars so that longitudinal rows ofpockets are formed as clearly shown in Fig. 1. In use, bombs are carriedin the pockets whichface upwardly, the pockets which face downwardlybeing thosefrom which the bombs21 have been discharged. In order toprovide smooth movements of the upper run 22 of the chain, the upperrail 12 is provided with rollers 23, on which the chain travels. Rollers24 are also provided on the lower rail 13 for the purpose of preventingslipping of the chain against the lower rail. At one end of the framesthere is indicated in Fig. 1, a drive shaft 24, which is driven by anysuitable means not deemed necessary here to be shown. This drive shaftis connected by bevelled gearing 25 with a sprocket shaft 16 at this endof the device. At the other end of the frames there is provided anauxiliary frame 26, which projects from the main frame beyond thesprockets and which is provided at its upper portion with a crossed bar27. This crossed bar 27 carries the upper trumpetlike ends 28 of aseries of chutes equal in number to and aligned with the rows of pockets19. The connection of these upper ends 28 with the bar 27 is made in theform of a pivot 29 so that the lower delivery ends 30 of the chutes mayrest against the lower cross bar 31 of the auxiliary frame.

As shown here there has been indicated seven rows of bombs and thereare, of course, seven chutes. The central one of these seven chutes isfixed, as by a bolt 32, while the other chutes have their lower endsfree for swinging adjustment on the pivots 28. In order to ob tain theadjustment of these lower ends the means best shown in Figs. 13 and 14is provided. Each of these means includes a plate 33, whereon is mounteda shaft 34, which is rotated by a lever 35. On this shaft 34 is fixed agear 36, which meshes'with a rack member 37 welded to the lower end 30of a chute. On the lower edge of the rack member 37 is a series ofratchet teeth 38 wherewith meshes a pawl 39 mounted in a guide 40 fixedto the plate 33. Between the bottom of the guide 40 and the lower end ofthe pawl 39 is a coiled compression spring 41. This ratchet and pawlarrangement is such that movement of the lever 35 will cause the ratchetto slide over the pawl, the teeth being at proper angles to permit this.When this pawl has engaged the ratchet then the adjusting device will bereleasably locked. If desired, an opening 42 may be provided in themember 37 and indicia 43 will be formed on the plate 33 and observablethrough the opening 42. This indicia may be graduated in accordance withthe desired spreading of the bombs for different altitudes of the plane.

While seven rows of bombs and chutes are shown, any desired number maybe used, as for instance, three to nine, or any other number of rows andbombing chutes.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the bomb pocket 43is split longitudinally so as to provide two halves which are adjustableto fit closely on the bomb depending on its diameter. These halves aresupported by arms 44 from bars 45 and are guided by pins 46. The arms 44are attached at their outer ends to rods 47, which by movement towardand from the bars 45 serve to open and close the halves of the pockets43.

The upwardly facing bomb pockets are filled with bombs. When at properposition in relation to the target, the motor controlling the shaft 24is put into operation and the bomb loaded pockets move successivelytoward the delivery chutes, the bombs feeding from the pockets into thechutes as indicated in Figs. 4 and The chutes, having had their lowerends adjusted to desired positions, then deliver these bombs insuccessive groups so that a multiplicity of bombs is rained from theairplane.

In Fig. there is illustrated the manner in which two bomb deliverymechanisms mounted on the same airplane may be effectively used. Asshown in the left hand portion of Fig. 15, the delivery section has justdischarged a number of bombs while the right hand section has dischargedanother group of bombs and it will be observed that each row of bombs inthe right hand section is delivered intermediate the bombs in the lefthand section so that a substantially continuous downpour of bombs isefiected. Also in Fig. 15 racks'are shown above the transverse member ofthe upper frame thus providing for storage of extra bombs and enablingthe delivery chains to be loaded in flight.

In the construction shown in Fig. 11 if it is desired, handles may beapplied to the members 47 so that they can be manually operated to openor close the bomb trays either singly or as a group.

It is to be understood that the bomb delivering devices may be made insections which can be disassembled and removed from the plane when it isdesired to use the airplane without bombing equipment of this character,the section thus being capable of assembly within the fuselage of theairplane.

While I have described the preferred embodiments of the invention andillustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changesor alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I,therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations asshall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed, is:

In a bomb dispenser for airplanes, a pair of laterally spaced sideframes each including an upper rail, pairs of sprocket wheels supportedby said frames at the opposite ends thereof, said sprockets beingcoplanar with said side frames, endless chains running around saidsprockets and having upper runs extending along and above said upperrails, tie bars connecting said chains and spaced therealong, bombpockets fixed to said tie bars in laterally spaced relation, the pocketson the several bars being aligned one behind the other to formlongitudinal rows, means to drive the sprockets at one end of saidframes, rollers carried by said rails and supporting said upper runs,normally substantially disposed bomb chutes at one end of said framesand positioned to receive bombs from said pockets as the chains passaround the sprockets adjacent the bomb chutes to direct bombs into saidchutes, each of said chutes including 'a rectangular top sectionoutwardly flared and having a lip arcually inclined to ward' itsadjacent pocket and cylindrical lower ends, means connected to said sideframes for pivotally supporting the upper ends of said bomb chutes forlateral swinging adjustments of the lower ends of said chutes, and rackand pinion means connected between said side frames and otf-centerchutes for transversely adjusting the lower ends of said off-centerchutes.

7 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS315,712 Buckner Apr. 14, 1885 866,607 Weimer Sept. 17, 1907 1,423,854Howard July 25, 1922 2,342,022 Trimbach Feb. 15, 1944 2,581,634 CoonsIan. 8, 1952

